Two-way plow



Nov. 17, 1953 H. AQPuRscHE TWO WAY P LOW s sheps-sheet 1 Filed July 12, 1948 INVENTOR.

BY l lqUe/EVS' Heeey uescwe;

Nov. 17, 1953 H. A. PuRscHE 2,659,284

TWO-WAY PLOW 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July l2, 1948 Heeey aescf/E,

JN VEN TOR.

TTOENEVS Nov. 17, 1953 H. A. PuRscHE TWO-WAY PLOW Filed July l2, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Hpeesf A?. a/QSCHE,

INVENTOR.

Patented Nov. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TWO-WAY PLOW Harry A..Pursche, Gardena, Calif. Application July 12, 1948, Serial N o. 38,352

17 Claims.

This invention relates to agricultural implements and is particularly directed to a new and improved form of two way plow. In my prior applications, Serial No. 18,252, led March 31, 1948, Serial No. 780,417, filed October 1'7, 1947, and Serial No. 760,846, led July 14, 1947, now Patents 2,625,089, 2,625,091, and 2,625,090 respec` tively, granted .January 13, 1953, I have shown and described two way plows which are supported on a frame provided with ground engaging wheels. Such devices are towed behind a tractor. The present application relates to a novel form of two way plow device adapted to be supported at least in part directly on a tractor, and the Anecessity for a supporting frame is thereby obviated. Furthermore, there are substantial manufacturing economies which can be obtained in connection with the relatively light-weight two way plow assemblies which are to be operated by small and medium size wheeled tractors.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a new and improved form of two way plow adapted to be carried on a tractor.

Another object is to provide a device of this type having novel means for maintaining the plowshares at the desired depth and cutting angle with relation to the soil being plowed.

Another object is to provide a tractor mounted two way plow which may optionally employ a depth controlling wheel adapted to roll on unplowed ground.

Another object is to provide a device of' this type in which the draft load is applied at one 'i point to the tractor and adjusting mechanism is provided at a location ahead of that point for controlling the angle at which the plowshares engage the soil.

A further object is to provide a two way plow of this type having adjustable shoes which may be employed in connection with the plowshares to regulate the depth of cut.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure l shows a side elevation of a tractor with one rear wheel removed and illustrating a preferred form of two way plow embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device in ground engaging position, parts of the tractor being shown in phantom line only.

Figure 3 is an elevation view taken from lthe other side of the tractor.

Figure 4 isa. top plan view, the tractor and associated mechanism for raising and lowering the device being omitted for clarity of illustration.

trolling the depth wheel is not employed.

Figure 6 is a partial sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 6 6 as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a tion of the mechanism for adjusting the angle of the plowshares.

Referring to the drawings, a tractor I of conventional type serves as a support fo' my two way plow device generally designated I I. This two way plow device includes a rearwardly extending stationary beam I2 having a stationary cross-beam I3 fixed to its forward end. Forplates I3a may be provided to stilen the connection between the cross-member I3 and the arms I and I6. The arms I5 and I 6 are each laterally oiset as shown at I1 and their forward ends are connected by pivot bolts I8 to the tension elements I9 of the draft frame 20. Extension arms 2I and 22 are removably secured to the arms I5 and I6 by means of the removable bolts 22a. Thev arms I5 and I6 and their lugs I6a comprise support means by which the plow assembly is raised and lowered with respect to the tractor I0. The draft means, including the draft frame 20, is attached to the support means through the agency of the pivot bolts I8. draft frame and the forward ends of the eX- tension arms 2I and 22 are connected to the tictor in the manner described in detail hereina er.

A carrier 23 is turnably mounted on the longitudinally extending beam member I2 and is confined between the angle member 24 xed on the forward end of the beam I2 and the removable collar 25 which is attached to the rearward ward lateral projection 28 are provided on the carrier 23 and serve as supports for the right hand plowshares 29 and the left hand plowshares 30 respectively.

The projections 2l and 28 may comprise sections of steel plate welded to the central pipe of the carrier '23. Vertically extending standards 32 and 33 are bolted or otherwise attached to the lateral projections 21 and 28 refragmental detail showing a 4porspectively, and each of these standards carries a right hand plowshare at one end and a left hand plowshare at the other. A spooling drum 34 is provided on the forward end of the carrier 23. A flexible cable 35 is wrapped around the drum two or three times and then passed over pulleys 36 and 31 which are carried on opposite ends of a piston rod 38. The ends of the cable are secured by suitable means 39 and 40 to a central stationary upright 4I fixed relative to the cross member I3. The piston rod 38 extends from both ends of a double-acting hydraulic 42. This cylinder assembly 42 extends parallel to the cross member I3 and is supported upon it by means of the angle member 24. Hydraulic lines 43 and 44 communicate with opposite ends of the hydraulic cylinder 42. When pressure is supplied through the hydraulic line 43, the pulley G is moved outwardly and the pulley 31 is retracted, This action serves to roll the carrier 23 to bring the right hand plowshare 29 into operative position. Conversely, when pressure is admitted through the hydraulic line 44, the pulley 3'! is extended and the pulley is retracted so that the carrier 23 is rotated to bring the left hand plowshare 30 into operative position.

Means are provided for limiting the angle of travel of the carrier 23 and, as shown in the drawings, this means includes an abutment pin 45 fixed by any convenient means to the forward end of the lateral projection 21. A pair of stop elements 45 and 41 are bolted er otherwise attached to the rearward portions of the supporting arms I and I5 respectively. Each oi the stop elements 46 and A1 is provided with a recess 48 in its upper surface, which is adapted to receive the abutment pin 45. The stop elements 46 and 41 may be adjusted vertically with respect to the cross member I3 in order to adjust the angular position of the carrier in its extreme end positions. The engagement of the abutment pin 45 with one of the recesses 5.8 also serves to provide additional stiifness against lateral delection of the carrier under the loads imposed by engagement of the plowshares with the ground.

Means are provided or supporting 'the two way plow assembly II upon the conventional wheeled tractor Il). As shown in the drawings, this means includes a pair oi' clamp support assemblies 49 which are adapted to be secured to the non-circular shait housings 5-J provided on the tractor. Bolts 5I are provided to facilitate easy installation and dismantling -oi the assemblies 49. A rearwardly extending support arm 52 is provided on each of the assemblies 49 and a pair of bellcran'xs 53 and 54 are pivotally mounted on the arms 52. A power cylinder assembly 55 includes a piston rod 55 which is pivotally secured at its extending end to the upper arm of the bellcrank 54. The forward end of the power cylinder 55 is pivotally connected at 51 to an ear 58 carried on the demountable subframe 53 attached to the main tractor ira-me I() by means of bolt 50. Hydraulic lines 6l and 62 communicate with opposite ends of the power cylinder assembly 55 so that the piston rod 56 may be extended or retracted as desired, thereby pivoting the bellcranlr 54 with respect to the arms 52. The bellcranks 53 and 54 are integrally connected by a shaft B3 which projects through bearing hubs 64 provided in the arms 52. Accordingly, pivotal movement of the bellcrank 54 under the action of the power cylinder assembly 55 serves to effect similar movement of the bellcrank 53 on the other side of the tractor. Challis @5 serve to connect the rearwardly extending arms ol the bellcranks 53 and 54 with the lugs Ia on the support arms I5 and I5 respectively.

From the above description, it will be understood that when the piston rod 56 is retracted, the chains @5 act to lift the two way plow assembly II. The weight of the two way plow assembly may be partially counterbalanced by means of a tension spring 68 as shown in Figure 3. The forward end of this spring is attached to the tractor frame by suitable means 81, and the rearf ward end is connected at G8 to the upper arm of the bellcranlr 53. The weight of the two way plow assembly as thus counterbalanced is effective in increasing the traction of the rear wheels of the tractor.

The draft frame '20, including the tension elements IS and cross member 69 is provided with a pivoted hitch bracket 10 which is adapted to receive the draft bolt 1I. This draft bolt 1I is carried by the tractor frame at a central location ahead of the rear Wheel axles. The entire draft required for pulling the plowshares through the ground is carried by the draft frame 20 and draft bolt 1I.

The extension arms 2I and 22. which are bolted to the arms I5 and I6 respectively by means of bolts 22a, extend forwardly of the pivot bolt 1I and serve as a means for adjusting the angular elevation of the longitudinal beam member I2. The angle of attack of the plow points is regulated by this means. The extreme forward ends of the arm extensions 2| and 22 are connected by a cross bar 12, so that the extension arms 2| and 22 may be raised and lowered as a unit. The means for raising and lowering the forward ends of the arm extensions includes a pair of brackets 13 and 14 fixed on the tractor frame by any convenient means and provided with downwardly extending plates 15 and 16 respectively. A control shaft 11 extends under the tractor frame and is pivotally supported in the plates 15 and 16. One end of the control shaft 11 carries the crank arm 18, and this crank arm is connected to operate the extension arm 2| by means of the adjustable link 19. The other end of the control shaft 11 is provided with a crank arm which is connected to operate the extension arm 22 by means of the adjustable link 82. Means are provided for turning the shaft 11 and, as shown, this means includes a lever 83 xed to the shaft 11 adjacent the plate 15. The lever may be secured in adjusted angular position by means of a clamping bolt 84 which operates in an arcuate slot 85 provided in the plate 16.

From the above description, it will be understood that angular movement of the control lever 83 serves to provide a fine adjustment for the elevation of the forward ends of the extension arms 2l and 22. The extension arms 2l and 22, together with the means for adjusting the elevation of their forward ends, are not required to carry any of the draft load imposed by the plowshares. This draft load is carried by the draft frame 20 and draft bolt 1 I In operation, the two way plow assembly II is carried on the tractor IIJ and, in the position as shown in Figure 1, two of the plowshares rest on the ground surface. The carrier 23 and plowshares may be raised clear of the ground by 0peration of the lift control valve 86 which controls the operation of the power cylinder 55 throulzh the hydraulic lines 6| and 62. Pressure fluid is delivered Yto the valve 86 via a conduit 81 connected to the outlet of a hydraulic pump (not shown) which is driven by the tractor engine. The power cylinder assembly 55 turns the bellcranks 54 and 53 so that the chains 65 raise the two way plow assembly and lift the plowshares clear of the ground. The tractor may then be driven in the normal fashion. When it is desired to commence plowing operations, the valve i actuated to cause the power cylinder assembly 55 to lower the two way plow assembly by rotation of the belloranks 53 and 54. The piston rod 56 reaches the limit of its travel in the position shown in Figure 2, and this controls the depth to which the plowshares enter the ground. The depth of out may be varied .by changing the position of the nuts 88 on the piston rod 56 so that the angular position of the bellcranks 54 and 53 may be adjusted with respect to the fully extended position of the piston rod 59. The carrier 23 is maintained at the correct angle by varying the position of the forward ends of the extension arms 2| and 22. This latter adjustment is accomplished by manipulation of the control lever 83 in the manner pointed out above.

The right hand plows 29 or left hand plows uiol to return to the pump by way of hydraulic line ftd. The rollover cylinder 42 then retracts pulley 36 and extends pulley 31 so that the carrier 23 is rotated on the longitudinal beam 2, and the left hand plowshares 30 are turned toward ground-engaging position. The valve 89 is suitably connected to the pump by hydraulic conduits not clearly shown.

While the tractor end of the furrow, left hand plowshares 3B are raised out of ground-engaging position, the tractor is turned around, the right are rotated to a ground-engaging position, and the cycle of operation is repeated.

It is desirable that the right hand plowshares on each of the standards 3?. and 33 be mounted symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal beam i2, for any difference in relative position may result in variation in depth of cut. facturing tolerances may not permit accurate assembly of the plowshares with respect to the standards 32 or 33. Accordingly, it may be necessary or desirable to provide supplementary means for insuring that the right and left hand plowshares cut exactly the same depth. As shown in Figure 5, a preferred means for accomplishing this result comprises the adjustable shoe members @c which may be attached to the plowshares by means of suitable flat-head bolts 9|. The shoe is provided with an upturned nose portion 9?.. The holt holes in the shoes 99 are made suiiiciently large to make angular adjustment of the shoes relative to the plowshares. If it is desired to have the particular plowshare make a deeper cut, the corresponding shoe is lowered so that the plow vpoint will dig in deeper. Conversely, if the point is digging too deeply, the shoe is raised relative to the plowshare.

In Figures 2 and 4, I have shown a supporting wheel 93 which may be employed, if desired,y to regulate the depth of cut very accurately. The wheel is carried on an axle 94 mounted at the forward end of an arm 95. The arm 95 is pivotally supported by means of a trunnion .95 carried on a bracket 91. The bracket 91 may be Aattached to the carrier 2.3 by any convenient means. Adjustable stops 93 are provided above and ybelow the arm 95, as clearly shown in Figure 5, to limit the angular movement of the arm 95. The stops 9G may be moved vertically along the slots 99 provided in the bracket plate |99 and may be fixed at any desired position. The spacing of the stops is adjusted so that when the wheel 93 rolls on the unplowed ground the plowshare cuts to the desired depth. The wheel operates on unplowed ground when either the right hand or left hand plowshares are engaged in the plowing operation.

It will be noted that the position of the groundengaging wheel S3 is substantially in advance of the kstandard 33, and therefore the wheel does moldboard of the for the wheel.

Ordinarily it is not necessary to use both the wheel 9-3 and the shoes 99. Either one or the other may be employed to control the cutting depth of the right and left hand plowshares.

When it is desired to disconnect the two way plow assembly from the tractor I0 in order that the draft bolt 7| is withdrawn. The bolts |02 at the upper ends of the chains 65 are also withdrawn. The hydraulic lines 43 and 44 are disconnected at the fittings |93 after the shut-off valves |04 have been closed. This completes the separation of the two way plow device from the structure. The clamp assemblies 49, bellcranks 53 and 54, hydraulic power cylinder 5c, valves 96 and 89 and their associated hydraulic connections remain on the tractor.

The device shown in the drawings is also useful in connection with ground engaging implements other than plows. The carrier 23 and plow assemblies may be removed as a unit from the beam I2 upon removal of the bolts 25 holding the collar 25 in place. The plow assembly may be rested on the ground, the collar 25 removed, and the tractor moved forwardly to retract the beam l2 out of the carrier 23. The beam I2 then may be reinserted into a suitable opening or recess provided in any tool or implement used in connection with the tractor. The hydraulic apparatus for raising and lowering the beam I2 enables the tractor operator to align the beam l2 with such opening or recess. The

` tractor is then backed up to insert the beam |2 into the opening or recess, and upon attachment of the holding collar 25 the assembly is then mounted on the beam and may be lifted by means of the hydraulic apparatus described above. In this way interchangeable devices may be mounted on the beam 2. It will be understood that plow assemblies having diierent sized plow shares may thus be conveniently installed on the same beam I2.

Having fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a two-way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal beam ext-ending in the direction of normal travel of the plow assembly, a cross member xed at the forward end of the longitudinal beam, a carrier turnably mounted on the longitudinal beam and provided with a right hand plow and a left hand plow, means to turn the carrier on the longitudinal beam to bring either plow into operative position, support arms at the opposed ends of said cross member adapted to be carried by the tractor whereby the plow assembly may be raised and lowered, draft means pivotally connected to the support arms, and means including longitudinal elements extending forwardly from said arms for varying the clination of the longitudinal beam.

2. In a two-way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal beam extending in the direction of normal travel of the plow assembly, a cross member fixed at the forward end of the longitudinal beam, a thrust absorbing element at the rearward end of the longitudinal beam, a carrier turnably mounted on the longitudinal beam between the cross member and the thrust absorbing element and provided with a right hand plow and a left hand plow, means includingr a hydraulic cylinder assembly carried cn the cross member and adapted to rotate the carrier on tne longitudinal beam to bring either plow into operative posi tion, support means at the opposed ends of said cross member adapted to be carried by the tractor whereby the plow assembly may be raised and lowered, and means associated with the support means for varying the inclination of the longitudinal beam.

3. In a two-way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal beam extending in the direction of normal travel oi the piy assembly, a cross member fixe-:1 at the forward end of the longitudinal beam, a thrust absorbing element at the rearward end o the longitudinal beam, a carrier turnably mounted on the longitudinal beam between the cross ember ad the thrust absorbing element and provided with a right hand plow and a lei-t hand plow, means to turn the carrier on the longitudinal be in `to bring either plow into operat e position, a wheel on the carrier adapted to roll on ui'iplowed ground and to regulate the depth or cut of either of plows, and support at opposed ends of said cross member a apte-:l 'to be carried by the tractor.

4. n two-way plow assembly, the combination of a longitudinal beam extending in the direction of normal travel or" the plow assembly, a cross member fixed at the forward end of the longitudinal beam, a thrust absorbing element at the rearward. end of the longitudinal beam, a carrier turnably mounted on the longitudinal beam b een the crossonember and the thrust absorbing element and provided with a right hand plow and a left hand plow, means to turn the carrier on the longitudinal beam to bring either plow into operative position, an arm having a group. '-engaging wheel rotatably mounted thereon, p .fotal means for connecting the arm to the carrier at a location to the rear of the wheel axis, and adjustable stop means adapted to limit the pivotal movement of the arm and thereby regulate the depth of cut of either of said plows.

5. In a. two-way plow assembly adapted' to be carried by a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal beam extending in the direction of normal travel of the plow assembly, a cross-meiber fixed at the forward end of the longitudinal beam, a carrier mounted on the longitudinal beam and provided with ground-engaging means, support arms fixed to the opposed ends oi said cross member and adapted to be carried by the tractor, a draft frame extending under the tractor and having tension arms each pivotally connected to one of said support arms, extension elements fixed to the support arms, and means on said extension elements positioned forward of the draft frame for adjusting the position of the support arms for varying the inclination of the longitudinal beam.

6. In a two-way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of a longitudinal beam extending in the direction of normal travel of the plow assembly, a cross member fixed at the forward end of the longitudinal beam, a carrier mounted on the longitudinal beam and provided with ground-engaging means, forwardly extending parallel support arms fixed to the opposed ends of said cross member and adapted to be carried by the tractor, a draft frame extending under the tractor and having parallel tension arms each pivotally connected to one of said support arms, extension elements fixed to the support arms, and lever means on said extension elements positioned forward of the draft frame for adjusting the position oi' the support arms for varying the inclination of the longitudinal beam.

7. In a two-way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of a cross member, a longitudinal beam extending in the direction of normal travel of the plow assembly, means integrally connecting the forward end of the longitudinal beam with the central portion of the cross member, ground-engaging means supported on the longitudinal beam, forwardly extending support arms xed to the opposed ends of said cross member and adapted to be pendently supported by the tractor, a draft frame extending forwardly under the tractor and having tension arms pivotally connected to said support arms, extension elements fixed to the support arms, and single means on said extension elements positioned forward of the draft frame for adjusting the elevation of the front ends of both extension elements for varying the inclination of the longitudinal beam.

8. In a two-Way plow assembly adapted to be carried lby a tractor, the combination of: a longitudinal Abeam. extending in the direction of normal travel of the plow assembly, a crossbeam nxed to and intersecting the forward end of the longitudinal beam, a thrust-absorbing element removably attached to the rearward end of the longitudinal beam, a carrier turnably mounted on the longitudinal beam between the cross-beam and the thrust-absorbing element and provided with a right-hand plow and a lefthand plow, power means on the cross-beam to turn the carrier on the longitudinal beam to bring either plow into operative position, stop means on the cross-beam to limit turning movement of the carrier in either direction, and support means at the opposed ends of the crossbeam adapted to be carried by the tractor.

9. In a two-way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of: a 1ongtudinal beam cross-beam and the thrust-absorbing element and provided with a right-hand plow and a leitmeans pivotally connected to the support means.

10. In a two-Way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of: a longitudinal beam extending in the direction of spaced substantially power means mounted on the longitudinal cross-beam and the thrust-absorbing element, right-hand plow and a 14. In a two-Way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of a frame, laterally for supporting the frame from a tractor, a carrier,

tractor for varying the inclination of the longitudinal beam. l

1'7. In a two-way plow assembly adapted to be carried by a tractor, the combination of a, longitudinal beam extending in the direction of no1'- mal travel of the plow assembly, a cross member a carrier mounted for movement on the longitudinal beam and provided with ground-engaging plow mea-ns, means for turning the carrier relative to the longitudinal beam, support arms fixed at the opposed ends of said cross member adapted to be carried by the tractor whereby the plow assembly may be raised and lowered, draft means pivotally connected to the support arms, a-nd means including longitudinal elements extending forwardly from the support arms in advance of the draft means for varying the inclination of the longitudinal beam.

HARRY A. PURSCHE.

References Cited n the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number 12 Name Date Heylman July 2'7, 1915 Amiot July 18, 1916 Karn Nov. 9, 1920 Monson May 31, 1927 Graham Mar. 24, 1931 Delaye Apr. 14, 1931 Lindgren et al. Dec. 26, 1933 Collins Apr. 11, 1939 Pridgen Dec. 31, 1940 Geraldson July 18, 1944 Graham July 2, 1946 Martin Apr. 27, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France May 10, 1927 (Addition to 614,733) France Apr. 26, 1932 (Addition to 691,520)

France July 28, 1924 France July 15, 1930 Germany Oct. 21, 1889 Germany Apr. 6, 1925 Great Britain May 18, 1921 Switzerland Sept. 1, 1933 

